Daily Press Football All-stars

December 25, 2007|By DAVE JOHNSON AND JASON JORDAN

Today, we honor the Daily Press All-Stars of the area high school football fields, led by Offensive Player of the Year Dyrell Roberts of Smithfield, who surpassed 2,000 rushing yards this season, and Defensive Player of the Year Dominik M-tBaby DM-v Davenport of Phoebus, who guided the Phantoms to a 13-1 record.

A glance at this year's all-stars

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

* Tajh Boyd, Phoebus, junior

He completed 69 percent of his passes for 2,046 yards and 25 touchdowns, with six interceptions. The signature game came when he rallied Phoebus from a 27-20 deficit in the fourth quarter for a 30-27 win over Bethel.

RUNNING BACK

* Jontel Evans, Bethel, junior

The new-look Bruins' offense didn't rely on him as heavily as in '06, but he still responded with a monster season. He rushed for 1,518 yards and averaged 7.3 per attempt. He also ran for 23 touchdowns.

RUNNING BACK

* Tron Martinez, Hampton, junior

Everyone knew he would be getting the call, but he was a tough man to stop. He led the district with an average of 136.6 yards per game. He averaged 6.1 per carry and rushed for 24 touchdowns.

RUNNING BACK

* Shawne Alston, Phoebus, junior

Though hurt for most of the season, he ran for 1,684 yards and 26 touchdowns and emerged as Phoebus' next great tailback. He rushed for 495 yards in the Phantoms' first three playoff games.

LINE

* Dominik Davenport, Phoebus, junior

He helped pave the way for an offense that averaged 36 points and 339 yards a game. This relentless blocker has the size to take on other linemen and the quickness to handle linebackers.

LINE

* Daryl Cooper, Woodside, senior

A four-year starter for the Wolverines at center, he was a dependable trigger-man. He was a team captain his last two seasons.

LINE

* Dustin Hornsby, Smithfield, senior

He led an offensive line that opened holes for Dyrell Roberts, the fourth running back in Peninsula and Bay Rivers history to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards during the regular season. The Packers had one of the top running games in the Bay Rivers.

LINE

* Trent Boullianne, Poquoson, senior

He improved the Islanders' pass blocking, and as a result, quarterback Eric Nixon went from 668 passing yards in 2006 to more than 1,500 this season. Boullianne gave Nixon time to help the Islanders post the top passing game in the Bay Rivers District.

LINE

* Mike Gorenc, Tabb, senior

He opened holes for two of the top running backs in the Bay Rivers District - Corey Legister and Mel Jones. Gorenc plowed through opposing defensive lines and helped the Tigers post the No. 2 rushing offense in the district.

RECEIVER

* Reid Evans, Phoebus, senior

He became the third Peninsula District player to pass 1,000 receiving yards in season. He caught 68 passes for 1,135 yards and eight touchdowns.

RECEIVER

* Justin Bollinger, Poquoson, senior

Though it was his first year playing, he finished the season with more than 550 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Bollinger created matchup problems for defensive secondaries because of his athleticism.

TIGHT END

* Kendall Charles, Poquoson, senior

This was also Charles' first year playing football, but he came through like a veteran, racking up more than 530 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. His most memorable game was against Smithfield, when he caught two late fourth-quarter TD passes in a come-from-behind win.

PLACE-KICKER

* Matt Bevins, Warwick, senior

He made 11 field goals in 13 attempts this season, including a 48-yarder against Bethel in the season's second week. He was virtually automatic on extra points and affected field position with deep kickoffs.

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

LINE

* William Jefferson, Hampton, senior

This steady performer was equally capable of rushing the passer and stopping the run. He didn't bring overwhelming size but always seemed to be in on every play.

LINE

* Tyrel Wilson, Hampton, junior

The Crabbers' coaches don't keep individual defensive statistics, but a 15-sack total is a conservative estimate for him. Rangy (6-3, 220 pounds) end who is as quick as a lot of tailbacks.

LINE

* Will Hill, Lafayette, junior

He helped the Rams post the top defense in Region I, holding teams to just 6.7 points per game and 168 yards of total offense. Hill wreaked havoc on offensive tackles and racked up more than 60 tackles this season.

LINE

* Keith Person, Grafton, senior

Person helped Grafton hold teams to an average of just 206 yards of offense. His most memorable game was against Poquoson, when he came up with two key sacks in the second half to help the Clippers win.

LINEBACKER

* Derek Mayo, Kecoughtan, senior

He was the bright spot of an otherwise-disappointing season for the Warriors with 105 tackles, three fumble recoveries and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown.

LINEBACKER

* Zach Stillwell, Lafayette, senior

He was one of the playmakers on the Rams' defense. Often known for pressuring quarterbacks on blitzes and running down backs, Stillwell was a force.